Hello

[Naturestoc]

Hi all. I discovered this forum at the ACA Convention in Sacramento, CA this year. I have been doing nature and wildlife photography for about 25 years. My specialty is birds. I have had many photos published in the past (mostly birds) but not much in recent years. I have been fooling around with fish photography with film cameras for a few years and have just purchased a Nikon D200. So, now I must learn a few things about shooting digital and this forum looks like a great place to do so.

My first question for the group is - what is the advantage of shooting RAW files over JPEG fine files?

Dan Brown,
Sacramento, CA

 

[maddog10]

Welcome to the APF Dan. Glad you found us!

Shooting in RAW will maximize the information that is retained on the memory card. JPEG leaves "holes" or artifacts. During post processing, do as much as you can in RAW. It will make for a better finished product.

 

[Naturestoc]

Thanks alot Michael. I will take your advise. Another question I have is regarding the use of this forum. If I have further questions, do I need to post them in specific threads? I am used to using Yahoo Group Listserves which are just one list or thread on one page running in cronalogic order (you just post to one thread).

Thanks again, Dan Brown
Sacramento Aquarium Society

 

[maddog10]

Dan, you will generally get more views/responses if you post in the appropriate category. Such as - if you have a question about a camera, post it in the hardware/equipment forum.

 

[alanhill]

Welcome to APF, Dan.
Anyone who has a D200 and joins APF has made two very good decisions, in my opinion. I'm sure we'd all like to see some of your photos - the nature work as well as the fish, because many of us dabble in that area from time to time.

Alan

 

[Naturestoc]

Hi Alan. Thanks for the welcome. I have attached a couple of shots that I have scanned from slides using my HP PhotoSmart, and one shot from the ACA convention in Sacramento shot with a Sony Mavica. The Owl shot has a Sony file name which was an error on my part while saving for web with PS. I have had no formal training regarding scanning/photoshop, I just seem to get by. I look forward to producing some good digital captures using my new equipment and with help for the APF group.

Dan Brown,
Sacramento Aquarium Society